Troubleshooting
Red Cabbage problems — and how to fix them
Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra 'Red Drumhead') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Cabbage root fly
Root-feeding larvae wilt and kill transplants. Use brassica stem collars, net the bed against the egg-laying flies, and rotate brassicas year to year.
Clubroot
Swollen, galled roots stunt plants in acidic, waterlogged soil. Lime to raise pH, improve drainage, rotate widely, and dispose of infected roots away from the compost heap.
Caterpillars and aphids
Cabbage white caterpillars and mealy cabbage aphids damage leaves and contaminate heads. Net from planting, check leaf undersides, and remove pests promptly by hand.
Head splitting
Solid heads split after a sudden surge of water following dry weather. Keep watering even, harvest as soon as heads are firm, and avoid late heavy feeding.
Prevent red cabbage problems before they start
Most red cabbage issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for red cabbage in general rather than its problems? Read the full red cabbage care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Red Cabbage problems — FAQ
Why is my red cabbage cabbage root fly?
Root-feeding larvae wilt and kill transplants. Use brassica stem collars, net the bed against the egg-laying flies, and rotate brassicas year to year.
Why is my red cabbage clubroot?
Swollen, galled roots stunt plants in acidic, waterlogged soil. Lime to raise pH, improve drainage, rotate widely, and dispose of infected roots away from the compost heap.
Why is my red cabbage caterpillars and aphids?
Cabbage white caterpillars and mealy cabbage aphids damage leaves and contaminate heads. Net from planting, check leaf undersides, and remove pests promptly by hand.
Why is my red cabbage head splitting?
Solid heads split after a sudden surge of water following dry weather. Keep watering even, harvest as soon as heads are firm, and avoid late heavy feeding.